The Holiday Hunter

🌊 Taylors Bay Beach – Mosman, Sydney   Hidden between bushland headlands on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, Taylors Bay Beach is one of the harbour’s most peaceful and secluded pockets. Tucked just off the track between Chowder Bay and Bradley’s Head, this quiet little cove feels far removed from the busy city. The water here is calm, clear, and sheltered — perfect for a refreshing swim, a gentle paddle, or simply cooling your feet as you sit on the sand and watch the boats drift by.   The surrounding bushland creates a natural amphitheatre of greenery, giving Taylors Bay a sense of privacy and tranquillity. It’s a favourite spot for walkers on the harbour track who want a break, swimmers seeking calm water, and anyone who loves hidden beaches with a relaxed, local feel. At high tide, the beach becomes a narrow strip of sand, while at low tide it opens up for small picnics or sunbathing in a peaceful, quiet setting.   Because it’s accessible only by foot or by b...

Tucked between bushland and harbour, Chowder Bay is one of Sydney’s most peaceful and picturesque waterfront escapes. Located in Mosman along the scenic headland walk between Taronga Zoo and Balmoral, this sheltered bay offers calm turquoise water, historic buildings, and untouched natural beauty. It’s the kind of place where you can slow down, breathe in the sea air, and soak up some of the best harbour views in Sydney.   The foreshore is lined with restored military buildings that now house cafés, restaurants, and cultural spaces, giving Chowder Bay a relaxed village-by-the-water atmosphere. The water here is crystal clear, making it perfect for swimming, snorkelling, or simply dipping your feet in from the jetty. Watch for stingrays gliding below or boats drifting quietly into the bay — it’s a slice of coastal paradise just minutes from the city.   A short walk through the surrounding bushland connects you to Clifton Gardens and the wider Sydney Harbour National P...

🏡 Rose Seidler House – Wahroonga, NSW   Nestled on a bushy hillside in Wahroonga, Rose Seidler House is one of Australia’s most striking examples of mid-century modern architecture. Designed by the young Harry Seidler in the late 1940s, this bold white cube of glass, steel and open space feels like a futuristic home dropped into the Australian bush. Even today, it still looks fresh, daring and completely different from anything around it — a true icon of modern design.   Inside, the home is filled with original furniture, colours and materials carefully chosen to create a bright, open and minimalist space. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of the surrounding gums, while sliding panels, hidden storage and clever planning show just how ahead of its time the house was. Walking through the rooms feels like stepping into a perfectly preserved moment of 1950s creativity and optimism.   Outside, the property blends architecture and nature beautifully. The elevate...

 Powerhouse Museum Discovery Centre – Castle Hill, NSW   Hidden in Sydney’s north-west, the Powerhouse Museum Discovery Centre at Castle Hill is one of the city’s best-kept cultural secrets. It’s where the Powerhouse Museum’s vast collection of artefacts, machinery, vehicles, and curiosities are stored, conserved, and occasionally brought to life for visitors. Unlike the main Powerhouse in Ultimo, this site gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how museums preserve and protect history.   Step inside and you’ll find an incredible mix of treasures — from vintage cars, aircraft, and locomotives to fashion, furniture, and pieces of everyday life that shaped modern Australia. There’s everything from early technology and engineering marvels to children’s toys and design classics. Many of these items are rarely seen anywhere else, making a visit to the Discovery Centre a fascinating journey through science, innovation, and creativity.   The atmosphere is part wa...

The Byron Solar Train is a charming and innovative experience that combines the charm of heritage rail with clean-energy innovation. Departing from North Beach precinct to the heart of Byron Bay, this short 3 km journey takes around 10 minutes one way (and about 25 minutes for a return trip). You’ll ride in an immaculately restored two-carriage train originally built in 1949, offering vintage style with leather seats, open windows, and even a driver’s cab you can look into. What makes this train truly special is its sustainability. It’s powered by solar energy harvested from panels on the train and its storage shed, using battery banks and regenerative braking to capture energy when slowing down. On sunny days the system generates enough power not only for the train but also to feed into the local grid. While you glide past coastal rainforest, wetlands and the Belongil Creek estuary, you’re also riding arguably one of the most eco-friendly passenger trains in the world. If you’re...